A cross country marathon held under the Fit India Tribal Sports Festival 2026 in Car Nicobar recorded strong participation on Sunday, with 254 runners competing across categories in an event organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), STC Car Nicobar, in collaboration with the Fire Service Department.
According to officials, the event brought together 104 participants in the Men’s and Boys’ category and 150 participants in the Women’s and Girls’ category, reflecting a broad turnout from across the island. The marathon was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to promote sports engagement and physical activity among tribal communities in the region.
The Women’s and Girls’ race was flagged off by Derick Jacob, First Headman of Kinyunka Village, while the Men’s and Boys’ race commenced shortly after, flagged off by Lt. Col. Shrihari Kugaji, Company Commander of the 172 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Madras. The staggered start ensured smooth coordination of the race across designated routes.
A ceremonial water salute by the Fire Service Department marked a key moment during the event, drawing attention from participants and spectators. The arrangement was supervised by Bimal Roy, Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Fire Service Department in Car Nicobar.
The marathon witnessed public engagement beyond the participants, with residents gathering along the routes to support runners. Officials noted that the presence of local spectators contributed to the momentum of the event, with crowds lining multiple stretches of the course to encourage participants.
The prize distribution ceremony was held later at the Perka Community Hall, where Solomon Samuel, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District, attended as the chief guest. Lt. Col. Shrihari Kugaji was present as the special guest, while Paul David, First Headman of Perka Village, attended as the guest of honour.
Other attendees included Sylvester Titus, Medical Officer at BJR Hospital, and John Valliant, a former footballer from the island. The ceremony concluded with winners being felicitated and participants acknowledged for their involvement and sporting effort.
Officials associated with the event stated that such initiatives aim to expand access to organised sports activities in remote island regions and encourage structured participation among local youth. The festival format is designed to integrate traditional community engagement with modern sporting events.
The Tribal Council of Car Nicobar was also noted to have shown active interest in supporting sports-related initiatives, particularly those focused on increasing participation among tribal youth. The event highlighted ongoing coordination between local institutions and administrative bodies in promoting physical activity and community-based sporting culture.
The marathon concluded without incident, marking the successful execution of one of the key events under the Fit India Tribal Sports Festival 2026 in Car Nicobar.
